Haircutting mechanism



Feb. 7, 1967 c;. F. ZUCKER HAIRCUTTING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 8, 1964 Feb. 7, 3957 e. F. ZUCKER 3,302,286

HAIRCUTTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-She6t 2 i 2: J3 46 g 43 United States Patent 3,302,286 HAIRCUTTING MECHANISM Gottlieb F. Zucker, 5153 S. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60632 Filed Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,782 7 Claims. (Cl. 30133) This invention relates to devices for cutting hair, and concerns particularly a mechanism so constituted and arranged that proper haircuts may be administered by relatively unskilled operators. I

This application is an improvement on the mechanism set forth in my Patent No. 3,054,183, Barbering Machine, dated September 18, 1962.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a haircutting mechanism or device of simplified construction, and improved operating characteristics, and which may be utilized by relatively unskilled operators to effect a satisfactory haircutting operation.

More specifically stated it is an object of the present invention to provide a haircutting device of the foregoing type wherein improved means is provided for lifting the haircutting clippers as an incident to the movement of the mechanism during the cutting operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a haircutting mechanism of the foregoing type, suction means which effects the dual function of properly raising the hair into cutting position, and also effecting the removal of the cut hair from the device and from the vicinity of the cutting operation. A still further object of the invention is to provide a haircutting mechanism or device wherein the hair to be cut is properly moved into and held in position to facilitate the cutting operation, and wherein the cutting mechanism will be automatically positioned during movement of the mechanism and as it is used, so as to facilitate the cutting operation and permit the use of the mechanism by relatively unskilled operators.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a haircutting device constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the structure, taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG.'4 is a partial vertical sectional view, taken as indicated by the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the structure,

FIG. 6 is-.a partial illustrative view showing the application to the structure of a tilting member or wing utilized in certain of the haircutting operations;

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the tilting or wing member;

FIG. 8 is a partial illustrative view showing the device when utilized with a shield member for shielding the Wheels from rotation;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the structure of FIG. 6 taken as indicated by the line 9-9 thereof; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cam or wedge slide member. 1

Referring more particularly to .the drawings, it will be seen that the haircutting mechanism or machine, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, comprises a main frame 12 and a cutter frame '14 pivotally interconnected by means of a pivot connection as indicated by the reference numeral 16, FIG. 2. The cutter frame 14 is pro- 3,302,286 Patented Feb. 7, 1967 vided with a clamp or strap 18 by means of which a standard hair clipper or clipping device 20 may be secured to the cutter frame assembly. The clipper 20, as will be understood, comprises an electric motor within the body supplied with electric current from a cord 22, and arranged to carry conventional reciprocating clippers 24, FIGS. 2 and 3, at the lower end of the body member.

In accordance with the present invention the main frame 12 carries a pair of wheels 26 mounted for rotation upon a pivot pin 28. Mounted between the wheels is a cam 30,

I FIGS. 3 and 4, the arrangement being such that the wheels 26 and cam 30 are integrally connected for rotation as a unit about the pivot pin 28.

The cam 30 is arranged to actuate a wedge slide member 32 which slide member performs the dual function of properly holding the hair in position to be cut by the clipper, and also raising the clipper frame progressively during the forward rotation of the wheels 26. To this end, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, it will be seen that the slide member comprises a body portion 32 adapted for cooperation with the cam 26, the forward portion, or leftward portion as seen in FIG. 3, being slotted as indicated at 34 for the projection of the hair therethrough. The lower portion of the body 32 is fluted as indicated at 36, the flutes acting in the nature of a comb, as will be understood. The slide member is provided on its opposite sides with a pair of cams 38 adapted to engage the lower clippper portion 24 of the electric clipper device 20, the arrangement thus being such that as the wheels 26 are operated along the scalp of the person whose hair is to be cut, as indicated by the reference numeral 40 in FIG. 3, the-slide member will be projected forwardly by the cam 30, thereby engaging the.

clipper face portion 24 of the electric clipper mechanism 20, and raising the clipper frame 14 in respect to the main frame 12, by movement about the pivot 16. At the same time the slotted forward portion '34 of the slide member permits the hair properly to be engaged by the forward cutting portion 24a of the electric clipper device, as will be understood. A pair of springs 42, FIGS. 3 and 5, maintain the slide member in proper engagement with the cam 30, these springs serving to retract theslide member in maintained engagement wtih the cam as the traction wheels 26 are reversely rotated. As best shown in FIG. 5, the slide member is provided with projections 44 arranged for sliding guiding movement within slots 46 of the main frame 12, as best shown in FIG. 2.

It will be seen thatby reason of the foregoing structure, as the 'wheels 26 are rolled forwardly or to the left as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 along the scalp, the cutter frame 14 which carries the clipper 20 will be raised progressively by the action of the cam 30,whi-le the main frame 12 remains in engagement with the scalp, 'whereby to apply a progressive taper to the hair during the cutting opera-tion; The taper of the cam 30 is such that the tensionof the springs 42 will not cause reverse rotation of the wheels 26 automatically if and when they are raised from the scalp, but upon reverse rotation of the wheels by reverse movement of the device along the scalp, the springs 42 will retract the slide 32 maintaining it in contact with the cam 30 at all times, whereby to effect the lowering of the cutter frame 14 in respect to the main frame 12 in proportion to the amount of reversed rotation imparted to the wheels 26.

It will be seen that the action of the slide member 32 is such that the cam portions 38 thereof effect the lifting of the cutter frame '14, whereas the slotted portion 34 permits the proper projectionof the hair through the slide member for proper contact with the cutters 24a, whereas the ribbed engagement portion '36 of the slide member effects an aligning and combing action on the hair, whereby to facilitate the haircutting operation.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the structure includes a conduit connection or fitting 48 adapted for connection 'with the hose 50 of a household vacuum cleaner, whereby to produce an upward draft of air in the vicinity of the clippers 24a, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. The fitting 48 is carried as a part of the cutter frame 14 and thus moves therewith at all times so that the fitting is at all times maintained in the same predetermined position with respect to the clipper 20 and its cutting portion 24a. The suction or air draft provided by the vacuum cleaner hose 50 removes the cut hair into the reservoir of the vacuum cleaner as will be understood, and at the same time the vacuum or air draft aids in maintaining the hair properly lifted or extended in the vicinity of the cutting operation.

The fitting 48 on one side carries a serrated plate 52, FIG. 2, the teeth of which are adapted for cooperation with a detent 54 which when in the position shown in FIG. 2 is urged by a tension spring 56 into engagement with the ratchet teeth. However, the detent 54 may be manually moved in a clockwise direction to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2, in engagement with a stop pin 58 whereby to be moved into a disabled position. When the detent 54 is in its counterclockwise or full-lined position, as shown in FIG. 2, the cutter frame 14 will be maintained in any elevated position into which it is moved, either by manual pivoting of the cutter frame in respect to the main frame about the pivot 16, or by means of the action of the slide 32 and cam 30 as previously described. By this means, the clipper 20 may be maintained elevated in any predetermined fixed position in respect to the main frame 12 so that as the main frame is engaged with the scalp the cutting portion 240 of the clipper 20 will be maintained in a predetermined elevated position for cutting hair of a given length. Manual pivotal movement of the detent 54 into the dotted line position as shown in FIG. 2 disables the action of the detent whereby the cutter frame may be lowered, and in this connection the structure preferably includes a pair of tension springs 57, FIG. 2, interconnecting the cutter frame and main frame for continuously urging the cutter frame 14 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 16 in respect to the main frame 12.

To further aid in combing, lifting, and aligning the hair for proper cutting action by the clippers 24a, there is provided, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a comb plate 59, provided withdepending teeth 60, which comb plate is floatingly mounted on the main frame 12 by means of a pair of wings or extensions 62, FIG. 1, slidably mounted in slots provided in the opposite side plates of the main frame 12. Secured to the comb plate 58 is a bracket 64 having, as best shown in FIG. 3, a forwardly projecting ledge portion 66 adapted to be engaged by a tension spring 68 secured at its opposite ends to the side plates of the main frame 12. The arrangement is such that the tension spring 68 normally maintains the comb plate 59 in its lowered horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1; but when the main frame 12 is lowered into full engagement with the scalp, engagement of the comb portion 60 of the comb plate with the scalp will lift the plate against the action of the spring 68, and furthermore by reason of the floating mounting of the wings 62 of the comb plate in the slots of the main frame the comb plate is permitted to tilt and thus follow the scalp contour. As stated, the comb plate, during the forward motion of the device, engages and lifts the hair and aligns it and thus properly brings it into cutting position into juxtaposition with the clippers 24a.

As best shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, means is provided for imparting a fixed tilt to the main frame 12, so as to facilitate tapered haircutting operations by longitudinal movement of the mechanism. Such means comprises a pair of removable shoe slide members 70, one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that each shoe member comprises a larger wing 72 arranged to engage on the outer side of the associated frame plate, and a smaller plate 74 arranged to fit on the inner side thereof, the two plates 72 and 74 being so spaced as to provide frictional gripping engagement with the associated frame plate, so as to permit the shoe member to be manually applied and removed. Each shoe member further comprises an intermediate wedge-shaped plate member 76 adapted to engage beneath the frame plate, as shown in FIG. 6 and in FIG. 9, whereby to provide a tilting support for the unit to facilitate tapered cutting by longitudinal movement of the device. As will be understood, the two shoe members 70 are mirrow images so that they may be applied respectively to the opposite sides of the frame structure. Only one is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the structure further includes a shield member 78 having a hooked portion 80 arranged to fit over the pivot pin 16, and being of such a size that it may be frictionally pressed between the two side plates of the main frame 1'2, so as to shield the wheels 26 from engagement with the scalp of the person whose hair is to be cut. By this means the wheels are disabled when the particular haircutting operation indicates that they should not be used.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention set forth for purposes of illustration, without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the invention is not be limited to the particular embodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A haircutting machine comprising: a main frame adapted for engagement with a scalp of a person whose hair is being cut; a cutter frame carrying haircutting means thereon, said cutter frame being pivotally mounted on said main frame for movement relative to said main frame; a slidable member carried by said main frame with a cam surface of said slidable member positioned for sliding engagement with a surface of said haircutting means, said slidable member being movable from a first position to a second position for pivoting said cutter frame and haircutting means relative to said main frame to move said haircutting means from a location adjacent to an outer edge of said main frame when said slidable member is in said first position to a position spaced apart from the outer edge of said main frame when said slidable member is in said second position; and actuator means mounted on said main frame for engaging said slidable member to cause said slidable member to move from said first position to said second position as the haircutting means is moved relative to the scalp of a person whose hair is being cut.

2. A haircutting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said actuator means includes a pair of spaced apart scalp engaging wheel means mounted for rotation relative to said main frame and a cam means mounted for rotation contemporaneously with said wheel means to move said slidable member relative to said main frame.

3. A haircutting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said slidable member is wedge-shaped and is provided with a plurality of comb-like hair engaging teeth.

4. A haircutting machine as set forth in claim 1 further including: a shoe member detachably connected to said main frame to tilt the haircutting machine transversely relative to the scalp of the person whose hair is being cut to facilitate tapered cutting of hair by longitudinal movement of the haircutting machine.

5. A haircutting machine as set forth in claim 1 further including: vacuum means connected to said cutter frame at a location adjacent to said haircutting means for drawing hair to be cut into said haircutting means means.

6. A haircutting machine as set forth in claim 1 further including: comb means mounted on said main frame adjacent to said haircutting means, said comb means being held in a normal position by spring means to enable said comb means to be resiliently moved by engagement of said comb means with the scalp of a person whose hair is being cut.

7. A haircutting machine comprising: a main frame, said main frame including a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel side members for engaging a scalp of a person whose hair is being cut; a cutter frame pivotally mounted on said main frame, haircutting means mounted on said cutter frame and positioned intermediate said side members; Wedge means mounted on said side members for sliding movement relative to both said cutter means and said main frame; a pair of wheel members rotatably mounted on said main frame; cam means mounted intermediate said wheel members for engagement with said wedge means to move said Wedge means from a first position to a second position, said haircutting means being positioned a first relatively small distance from the scalp of a person whose hair is being cut when said wedge means is in said first position and said haircutting means being positioned a second relatively large distance from the scalp of a person whose hair is being cut when said wedge means is in said second position; vacuum nozzle 6 means mounted on said cutter frame adjacent to said haircutting means to enable hair which is to be cut to be pulled into the haircutting machine and to enable cut hair ends to be removed from the haircutting means, said cutter frame, haircutting means and vacuum nozzle means being pivoted outwardly relative to said main frame by movement of said wedge means from said first position to said second position; and comb means mounted on said side members forwardly of said haircutting means to engage the hair of the person whose hair is being cut, said comb means being resiliently movable by engagement with the scalp of the person whose' hair is being cut.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,860,234 5/1932 Chulanovski 30202 2,864,162 12/1958 MacDonald 30200 X 3,054,183 9/1962 Zucker 30-202 3,209,455 10/1965 Gnage 30-201 X 3,230,619 1/1966 Felland 30-133 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. a R. v. PARKER, Examiner. 

1. A HAIRCUTTING MACHINE COMPRISING: A MAIN FRAME ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A SCALP OF A PERSON WHOSE HAIR IS BEING CUT; A CUTTER FRAME CARRYING HAIRCUTTING MEANS THEREON, SAID CUTTER FRAME BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID MAIN FRAME FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID MAIN FRAME; A SLIDABLE MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID MAIN FRAME WITH A CAM SURFACE OF SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER POSITIONED FOR SLIDING ENGAGEMENT WITH A SURFACE OF SAID HAIRCUTTING MEANS, SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER BEING MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION FOR PIVOTING SAID CUTTER FRAME AND HAIRCUTTING MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID MAIN FRAME TO MOVE SAID HAIRCUTTING MEANS FROM A LOCATION ADJACENT TO AN OUTER EDGE OF SAID MAIN FRAME WHEN SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION TO A POSITION SPACED APART FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF SAID MAIN FRAME WHEN SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION; AND ACTUATOR MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID MAIN FRAME FOR ENGAGING SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER TO CAUSE SAID SLIDABLE MEMBER TO MOVE FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION AS THE HAIRCUTTING MEANS IS MOVED RELATIVE TO THE SCALP OF A PERSON WHOSE HAIR IS BEING CUT. 